Ten tips about recordingKnow your material.Unless your very rich and have unlimited studio time, knowing your songs is important. Beginnings, endings, guitar solos ect. ect. should be practiced BEFORE beginning your recording. This is not to suggest that you shouldn't be open to that creative spark that often happens while recording. It's just that trying to figure out an ending or how to play a solo is costly and probably boring for those around you that have to wait. Knowing how to play the songs well also adds a degree of confidence that will probably be obvious in the final mix.
- Record in the best studio you can afford. I know this sounds obvious and simple but if you want your CD to sound good in the end (and who doesn't?) then the right room and engineer are vital.Not everyone has the luxury of choice but if you can you should definitely shop around and compare.I'm not talking about just prices either although that is certainly an important factor in choosing a studio.Each room has different sound characteristics and certainly the atmosphere is important. Ask to hear some songs that were recorded in the room your looking at and by the engineer your going to being working with (if possible)! Are they familiar and comfortable with the kind of music you will be playing? Check out the microphone supply and of course the recording and mixing equipment. Even if your nota technophile you should be able to get a sense of whether the gear is good or not and if there enough of it.
- Spend the time for a real good set-up. It always takes a few hours for the engineer to place all the microphones. If he knows the room he'll surely know the best placement for your amps, drums, singing and all the rest. Trust him for this. Make yourself a comfortable area where you'll be spending a lot hours.A chair (that doesn't squeak!) for sitting, a small table for your candles and drinks, a music stand, the rightlighting are all important little touches that can really help your performances. Take some time for good sound checks on all the instruments you'll be playing. It's better to do it at the beginning rather then in themiddle or the end. Once you really begin to record you'll not want to slow down for fucking around with micsand sounds. Also try and record just a little bit of the check and then go and listen to how it sounds in the recording booth. Is that how you want to sound in the final mix? The closer you get your "recorded" sound tothe one you hear in your head the happier you will be when you leave the studio. Moving the mic a little way in either direction can really effect how it goes down on tape. Different microphones make a big differenceas well. It will also help the engineer start to learn about what you want and like and the more information he has about you the better job he can do.
- Have a recording plan. By this I mean a list of songs and the order you want to record them in. Maybe start off with something simple or the song you know the very best. Unless you've worked with the engineer before he'll probably need and appreciate a slower start from the band. This will save you some time in the long run. Also, do be flexible. If something is not going down on tape well perhaps it is better just to move on to the next song. It's one of the nice things about recording. Some days are "blue" recording days, other days are "happy" ones. Take advantage of that. I always put this "to do" up on the wall somewhere and then when each song is completely finished it's fun to cross it off the list.
- Have copies of all the song lyrics for everyone including the engineer! When your doing vocal overdubs (or live)it's easier for everyone involved to be able to point out exactly what they need to talk about. Once again, this is a time saver.
- Try to keep reasonable recording hours. This is not as easy as it sounds. Usually what happens is that things take longer then anticipated and so towards the end of your time in the studio you start putting in longer and longer days. What also happens though is that when fatigue sets in you start making wrong decisions. Tired ears are not happy ears. 8 hours days in the studio are certainly long enough. Good and restful sleeps will help you record and stay less stressful. Split your recording day into two parts if you can. Take a good long lunch dinner. Try and get out of the studio, get some fresh air, a little walk or exercise.
- Finish the songs as you go along. This is just a matter of my personal taste but I've learned the hard way that waiting until the end to sing all the vocals or lay down all the guitar parts is just asking for trouble. Now-a-daysI much prefer to finish it all up as I go along. This also helps me to know exactly how I'm doing time wise. Look at your list. How many songs have been crossed off, how manys are left and how much time?. I also think it's better for the voice to sing a little each day instead of everything all at the very end. I think sometimes that engineers prefer to do the vocals or overdubs at the end because it is easier for them. Every time you play a different instrument they have to often reset microphones ect. It's your money though. You decide how you want to do the recording.
- Headphones. Again, this is just my personal taste and experience but I have always (mostly) found that I get better performances when I didn't use headphones. Now of course this isn't always possible and I do accept the fact that in overdubbing you just have to work with them. I'm just that for basic tracks there has always seemed to be a little more "life" or emotion on "non-headphoned tracks". I don't really know why except that perhaps without them is more like how you really play live. One tends to be a bit too careful and cautious when you can hear every little tick and thump that headphones tend to amplify.
- Click tracks. To use or not to use. I've gone both ways. Like in #8 I tend to find a certain stiffness in songs using click tracks and, if I have the choice, prefer to NOT use them. They can and do save you time though, especially if there is a lot of overdubbing or if your going to perhaps do some editing using different takes of the same song! Then it's essential. Also, if your drummer is not really rock solid it will help to have a click track. Wandering tempos are really made obvious when you record in a studio.
- Mastering. Even after the recording there are more steps to ensure a good sounding record. So much can be made better by a good mastering job. Over all sound characteristics can be enhanced or subdued as need. Editing out mistakes is possible and beginnings and ending can all be cleaned up. Believe me when I say that this last step can be critical in giving you a great sounding CD. Take the time here to find a good mastering engineer. Once again,ask to hear some of his/her work (in your style of music if possible). If possible try and be with them when they are doing the actual mastering. You know best how you want to sound.
That's it. These little tips were just my observations. I certainly am not a recording expert but hey, this is what this web page is for. I love to make records in studios! I've mostly had good times doing so and that is the last thing for me to say here. Try and have fun doing what your so lucky to be able to do. Recorded songs are just little sound slices of life. Pictures to be viewed later. The clearer you are in the recording of those "pictures' the prouder you will be later. Challenging? Yes. Rewarding? Certainly. Possible? Good luck!
